School just started, yet West Tech student already deserves an ‘A’

If they issued grades for tenacity, West Career and Technical Academy student Angelique Clark would get an "A" in her attempt to establish a pro-life club at the school.

After reportedly being marginalized by school administrators and rebuffed by district officials, Clark sought assistance from the Illinois-based Thomas More Society, which in August sued the district on her behalf, alleging her free speech rights had been violated.

With help from the society's associate counsel Jocelyn Floyd, which represents the national anti-abortion group Students for Life, Clark appears to have prevailed and will be allowed to hold club meetings as long as they don't conflict with class time.

"I'm hopeful that a lot of students across the board with a lot of viewpoints will take this chance," Floyd said.

The district's settlement has some folks wondering whether more anti-abortion clubs will begin appearing at local high schools. And pro-choice clubs, too. And how about clubs dedicated to other social and political issues?

Of course, not every issue has an attorney standing by to assist with the legal arguments.

MEYERS FAMILY: The Meyers family was staggered when wife and mother Tammy Meyers suffered a fatal gunshot wound on Feb. 12 in a case that today has a local 19-year-old facing a murder charge.

Now the RV Bob Meyers uses to conduct the family's collectibles business at trade shows and fairs was heavily damaged in an accident.

In an effort to pay for the $40,000 in repairs the rig suffered, the family has taken out a fundraising account through GoFundMe.com/HelpMeyers.

SULLIVAN'S VIEW: After 34 years in local law enforcement, including service as Metro's chief of detectives, John L. Sullivan returned to civilian life in 1995. His memoir "Chief of Detectives" was published this year. It's filled with interesting anecdotes and Sullivan's seasoned perspective.

Here's one observation that should give locals pause: "In my opinion, drug cartels of South America and Mexico make the Mafia and the Bloods and Crips gangs pale in comparison. The illegal drug markets from those countries are establishing distribution centers throughout the United States. ... People who run these cartels are vicious and power hungry, and their wealth corrupts government officials both here and abroad.

"The most pathetic point is that the United States is the biggest consumer of illegal drugs in the world."

EBULLIENT EDYTHE: From civil rights and the local school system, to Israel and Holocaust education, community service and activism defined Edythe Katz-Yarchever's long life. A Southern Nevada resident since 1951, she died Monday at age 95.

Edythe and first husband Lloyd Katz helped the push to desegregate local movie theaters in the 1960s.

COCKTAIL COMMISSION: Make theirs a double. This week the Clark County Commission discussed a plan to enable movie theaters inside casinos within the unincorporated county to sell alcohol. Come to think of it, a double shot might have come in handy for those who paid to see "Paul Blart: Mall Cop II."

ON THE BOULEVARD: With up to $2 billion at stake, you might think District Judge Jerry Wiese's II's courtroom would be packed during the ongoing Actos civil trial. Not so. Beyond the judge and his courtroom personnel, jurors, and the legal teams, the only others present during a recent visit were a videographer for Courtroom View Network and representatives of the Review-Journal. ... Hard-riding former Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins is now more confident he'll run in 2017 for mayor of careworn North Las Vegas. Hey, what could possibly go wrong that already hasn't?

John L. Smith's column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. He can be reached at 702-383-0295 or jsmith@reviewjournal.com. On Twitter: @jlnevadasmith.